Core Viewpoint - Cathay Pacific Haitong has initiated coverage on Western Cement (02233) with a "Buy" rating, projecting net profit for 2025-2027 to be 1.143 billion, 1.422 billion, and 2.015 billion yuan respectively, with EPS of 0.21, 0.26, and 0.37 yuan [1] Group 1: Company Overview - The largest shareholder, Mr. Zhang, holds approximately 32.3% of shares directly and indirectly, while Conch Cement holds 29.0% [2] - The company is expected to sell 15.74 million tons of cement domestically in 2024, generating revenue of about 5.2 billion yuan and a profit of approximately 350 million yuan, alongside overseas sales of 4.03 million tons, yielding revenue of about 3.2 billion yuan and a profit of 890 million yuan [2] Group 2: Industry Context - China's cement production has been declining annually since 2022, with a rapid decrease in demand leading to a significant drop in domestic cement prices, making overseas expansion a necessity [3] - The company began its overseas strategy in 2020, establishing its first production line in Mozambique and expanding into four countries by the end of 2024, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, and Uzbekistan [3] Group 3: Strategic Moves - The company achieved a high overseas gross profit of 288 yuan per ton in 2024, significantly exceeding the domestic gross profit of 42 yuan per ton, demonstrating a strong commitment to high-margin overseas expansion [4] - In June 2025, the company announced plans to sell its Xinjiang cement assets for 1.65 billion yuan, which is expected to alleviate debt pressure and support ongoing overseas expansion projects [4]